As the days get shorter, most gardeners begin to wonder what plants they can over-winter.  In our mild climate, we can get many plants through our average winter conditions, but in a greenhouse, there's so much more you can do:  keep tender "not-for-this-zone" plants alive, continue to grow hardy greens, and get an early start on next season's garden.  I have a lemon bush in mine that right now has seven healthy fruits.  When it's in flower, the scent is heavenly.

To help you fulfill your greenhouse dreams, we're having a greenhouse sale.  Until the end of September, our most popular greenhouse, the Supreme 86, is on sale for $1250 – a saving of $170 off the regular price. In addition, any accessories, such as heaters, shelving or automatic vent openers - that you purchase along with a greenhouse are 25% off the regular price.  This is a great way to get your greenhouse in place before the weather turns cold. 

You can see one of our greenhouses at the Johnson Street, Oak Bay and Broadmead stores, and staff in all of our stores would be happy to answer your questions and help you select the perfect greenhouse for your garden.

My favourite use of my greenhouse is simply to go sit in it when it is raining, or too cold to sit outside.  Inside my greenhouse after a long day's work, I inhale the green air, relax and forget the stresses of the day. 

Elizabeth Cull, Franchise President

Spring-flowering bulbs have started to arrive at Dig This.  We have a stunning selection of tulips, narcissus, crocus, hyacinths and other unusual bulbs to choose from.

Bulbs are one of the easiet plants to grow:  simply plant them in the ground according to the depth on the package and wait for spring!  A handful of bone meal or bulb food will help ensure great blooms.  And since deer consider tulips one of their basic food groups, we have selected a number of deer-proof bulbs that they won't eat!  The gorgeous Narcissus Delnashaugh, shown here, is just one of many beautiful bulbs that deer avoid.

To see how to plant bulbs and get some ideas for different ways to combine them, check out this short video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kzq3oGV5Mc  And if you're looking for easy inspiration, we have combination packages which put together a variety of complementary-coloured bulbs that bloom beautifully together.

Gardeners are generally very environmentally conscious people.  At Dig This, we are committed to helping you be as "green" as possible.  This fall we are carrying rain barrels again so you can collect fall and winter rain and use it to water your flower beds, trees and shrubs.  Every litre of rain that is redistributed from your roof to the garden means less water going down the sewers (water wasted!) and less drinking water used to grow plants (water saved!)

We have two styles of barrels, plus stands to raise them to a comfortable height for a watering can to fit under the spigot.  We also have downspout diverters that redirect water back to your downspout when the barrel is full.  Vancouver Island gardens are often quite dry, even with all the fall and winter rains.  A rain barrel will allow you to capture and use some of that rain where it will do the most good.

For more information, go to http://www.urbanraincatchersgazette.ca/

Peter Kamerman, Dig This Nanaimo